Scott Bailey, introduced to the starting line-up following Ciaran Thompson’s withdrawal in the warm-up, opened the scoring for the Toon teenagers at the State Georges-Lefèvre after completing a neat attacking move.
PSG skipper Senny Mayulu was sent off in the opening minutes of the restart, picking up two yellow cards, but the hosts levelled the Group F encounter in the closing stages through Mahamadou Sangare’s volley before Emerson restored Newcastle’s lead in the dying stages, resulting in the club’s first ever victory in the competition.
Ben Dawson made six changes to the side which claimed a 2-2 draw against their Borussia Dortmund counterparts, recovering from a two-goal deficit, as goalkeeper Adrian Janusz replaced the injured Aidan Harris while Bailey, Leo Shahar, Trevan Sanusi, Ellis Stanton and Josh Donaldson were all handed starts ahead of facing the French outfit.
Janusz was called into action within the opening two minutes after Mayulu’s fierce strike from a tight angle forced the Polish shot-stopper into pushing the ball out for a corner.
In the 11th minute, Newcastle took the lead in impressive fashion as Bailey completed a neat counter-attacking move. After Travis Hernes, Sanusi and Johnny Emerson exchanged passes, the latter fed a delightful ball into Hernes’ path before the Norway Under-17 international picked out Bailey inside the penalty area, who stroked the ball past PSG goalkeeper Louis Bouquet.
Ellis Stanton went close to doubling the visitors’ lead as the 18-year-old midfielder, who signed his first professional contract with the Magpies in the summer of 2022, was teed up by Josh Donaldson on the edge of the penalty area after a dangerous move on the left flank involving Sanusi and Charlton but saw his resulting effort deflected wide of the left-hand post.
Janusz produced an excellent double save to maintain United’s one-goal cushion, parrying Kamil Bensoula’s close-range back heel before bravely blocking Ibrahim Mbaye’s powerful drive.
Serif Nhaga went close to equalising for PSG after picking the ball up inside the penalty area before drilling a low effort wide of the far right-hand post.
Hernes almost turned from provider to goalscorer as the 18-year-old midfielder, who joined the Magpies from Shrewsbury Town in September, controlled the ball inside the box before his low strike at goal was pushed away by Mouquet.
Janusz produced an important stop to retain United’s one-goal cushion at the break. After Mbaye intercepted Dylan Charlton, the Paris forward advanced forward but his low effort at goal was held by the 17-year-old ‘keeper.
In the second half, PSG were reduced to ten men as Mayulu received his marching orders, needlessly bringing down Charlie McArthur within the Magpies’ own half whilst already on a yewllow card.
Newcastle pushed for a second goal of the afternoon as Stanton sent a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area over the crossbar before drilling a vicious deflected effort narrowly wide of the right-hand post.
In the 85th minute, Newcastle were delivered a difficult setback as Sangare drew PSG level. After Thomas Cordier delivered an impressive cross from the byline, the PSG striker directed a volley into the top right-hand corner.
Bailey went agonisingly close to netting his and United’s second of the afternoon after controlling the ball on the edge of the box before rifling his effort off the top of the crossbar.
Newcastle, however, regained their lead in the 88th minute through Emerson as the Scotland Under-19 international, who celebrates his 18th birthday on Thursday, cut inside from the left flank before his low drive at goal trickled beyond Mouquet, with the Carlisle-born teenager wheeling away to celebrate with his delighted team-mates.
Newcastle’s under-19 side conclude their 2023/24 UEFA Youth League campaign on Wednesday, 13th December when the young Magpies host their AC Milan counterparts at Whitley Park.
Newcastle United Under-19s: Adrian Janusz, Leo Shahar, Cathal Heffernan (c), Charlie McArthur, Dylan Charlton, Scott Bailey, Ellis Stanton (Kyle Crossley 84), Travis Hernes, Johnny Emerson, Trevan Sanusi, Josh Donaldson (Joe Brayson 90).
Subs not used: Tyler Jones, Rory Powell, Luke Craggs, Darren Palmer, Shaun Mavididi.
